Today's world is geared around the “quick fix”. We want answers in the form of sound bites and bullet points. Unfortunately, as it pertains to investments and capital markets, there's no quick fix. There's no easy road to financial success. The solutions for better portfolio management are complex and continuously evolving. Savvy investors are educating themselves on the latest asset classes and investment vehicles. They understand what Albert Einstein meant when he said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

Contrary to popular belief, solutions still remain that are designed to help investors achieve their financial goals. Clearly the financial markets of the last decade have been challenging and have changed the way we operate as an industry. The financial crisis of 2008 has forced us all out of our comfort zone. Smart investors need to be up to speed on the many options in the retail marketplace and understand how to implement them in their portfolio.

The major endowments and institutions of the world have been tapping into non-traditional asset classes to better manage the risk of their portfolios. These allocations strive to create a more linear and better risk adjusted investment experience. Core stocks and bonds are still a part of the mix, but many additional strategies are finding their way into the portfolio, where appropriate - including hard assets, commercial real estate, private equity and debt, and hedging and managed futures. Managing a portfolio in today's challenging economic times requires serious consideration of these non-traditional, non-correlated assets. However, doing so requires tremendous expertise, research and experience. There are different variables and risks to consider when utilizing these strategies. Are you up to the challenge?